China Franchise For Spa Firm

Thai Privilege Spa Co, the local luxury spa chain, has signed its first franchise agreement to manage a new luxury boutique resort and spa that is due to open in Suzhou, China in June.

Grand Central Holdings Ltd, the China-based developer of the Regalia resort, had many options when it came to choosing a manager for the property, chairwoman Amy Poon said during her visit to Bangkok last week.

She said the company had negotiated with international spa operators in the United States, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand, but chose Thai Privilege Spa, 100% owned by local businesswoman Surangrath Chirathivat.

“I have travelled to different countries in the world from Africa and India to the US and the Philippines, but I prefer Thailand, the place I have visited most frequently _ over 50 times in the past 25 years,” Mrs Poon said. “I have had the opportunity to try different spa services from various boutique hotels, so there is no doubt why I chose a Thai spa,” she added.

Ms Surangrath Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Thai Privilege Spa, said it had sold the spa franchise for about 40 million baht to Grand Central Holdings, with royalty fees at the rate of 8%, 10%, 15% and 15% of operating profit consecutively during the four-year contract.

Apart from Grand Central Holdings, Thai Privilege Spa plans another four new spa franchises this year in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Rome and the United States.

Mrs Poon said business potential for spa treatments in China was promising.

There are only two small luxury resort and spa chains providing exclusive spa treatment services in China _ the Banyan Tree chain and Fuchun, a local resort.